General Services
Safety and Security
Crisis Communication Protocol
Table of Contents
01. Policy Statement ........................................................................................................................ 2
02. Description of Crisis Communication ........................................................................................ 2
03. Responsibility of the Office of University Relations ................................................................... 2
04. Responsibility of Managers ....................................................................................................... 2
05. Procedure .................................................................................................................................. 2
06. Contacts..................................................................................................................................... 3
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01. Policy Statement
The basic Crisis Communications outline is designed to provide information on how to respond to
inquiries in situations and in connection controversial issues. When there is an indication of a
potential crisis or controversy involving Pace University, whether before or after exposure to the
media, preparation for a timely, accurate response to the situation is primarily the responsibility of
the Office of University Relations.
02. Description of Crisis Communication
Crisis communications relates to both emergencies and controversial issues. Emergencies
include but are not limited to: fires, bomb threats, terrorist acts, earthquakes and other natural
and man-made disasters. Controversial issues include alleged improper, unethical or illegal
conduct by members of the University community, police and other agency investigations, internal
hearings or litigation involving the University or members of the University community, student
protests and other situations that reflect upon the institution’s reputation.
03. Responsibility of the Office of University Relations
The Vice President for University Relations will be responsible for interpreting information for
dissemination to the University and the media. If the Office of University Relations cannot provide
all of the needed information, it will contact the appropriate individual to gather the necessary
information, or put the appropriate person directly in touch with the media.
04. Responsibility of Managers
Each manager should have a communication “web” for his/her department, listing phone numbers
and contact order, should an emergency situation arise. Please be sure to gather the necessary
information as soon as possible so that notification of a crisis can be given in a timely fashion.
05. Procedure
Assess the situation:
1.
The individual who encounters the situation should determine whether it is actually a
crisis and, if so, gather complete and accurate information from the appropriate sources
as quickly as possible. This information should be communicated to the Vice President
of University Relations.
2.
The President of the University and administrative officers will be notified first of any crisis
situation, to be immediately followed by the Office of University Relations.
3.
The Vice President for University Relations will consult with the President and University
Counsel to determine whether an immediate response is necessary or advisable.
4.
Following discussion among those administrators, a decision will be made as to whom
inside and outside the University should be contacted. If the crisis is of major proportions
the Vice President for University Relations will consult with the President and/or Provost
and University Counsel before taking further action.
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5.
If necessary, the Vice President for University Relations will call together a crisis
communications committee. The composition of the committee will depend on the nature
of the situation at hand.
PLEASE NOTE: All communications (telephone calls and correspondence) from outside
attorneys and all legal documents should immediately be referred to University Counsel for
response.
06. Contacts
You can dial 777 from any Pace phone in the event of an emergency or press the security button
on your Pace phone.
Safety & Security
 New York Campus: (212) 346-1800
 Pleasantville Campus: (914)773-3400
 Briarcliff Campus: (914) 923-2700
 White Plains Campus: (914) 422-411
Officers
 VP for University Relations – (212) 346-1396
 Director of Media Relations – (212) 346-1117
 University Counsel – (212) 346 -1274
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